The Southeast Asian debut of the all-new Subaru Impreza serves as a preview of the next-generation XV for the Malaysian market

Making its Southeast Asian debut at the Singapore Motorshow 2017 was the all-new Subaru Impreza that employs the new Subaru Global Platform (SGP), which will be the architecture for all future Subaru models. The launch was presented by Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles across nine countries in Asia, including Malaysia.

“The all-new Subaru Impreza features the new Subaru Global Platform that is engineered to make a new type of driving possible. With a host of improvements to its interior, styling, handling performance and an improved CVT transmission, the new Impreza is set to be the first to pave the way for the next generation of Subaru vehicles to deliver a superior driving experience like no other,” said Glenn Tan, Executive Director, Tan Chong International Ltd.

The base model starts with a 1.6i variant, followed by the higher-end ‘S’ variants in 1.6i-S and 2.0i-S. The 1.6 variants are powered by a 1.6-litre port injection boxer engine which produces 114PS@5,600rpm, while the 2.0 variant has a 2.0-litre direct injection boxer engine which produces 153PS@6000rpm. Both variants are available as a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback and all models come with Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT automatic and Symmetrical AWD system.

More importantly, the interior has also been given a fresh makeover. It looks better than the previous model’s, which has often been cited as lacklustre. The new dashboard layout is cleaner and more contemporary, while the environment has been improved in terms of cabin space, cargo room, and all-round visibility. New features include a built-in 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is available for the higher-end ‘S’ variants.

As usual, Subaru did prepare a dynamic driving course to give the media a first impression of the new Impreza, along with several segment rivals for comparison. True to its claims, the new Impreza’s improved torsional rigidity (which is 70 percent stiffer than its predecessor’s) delivers a suppler and settled ride across the driving exercises, with more responsive steering and better body control over the rumble strips and dynamic sections.

If you’re now wondering about its price and Malaysian launch date, then we’re sorry to inform you the new Subaru Impreza won’t be making its way into our market. However, Motor Image did inform us the 5-door hatchback variant will serve as a good indicator of what the next-generation XV will look like, and that it will be arriving in Q4 of 2017. It will be locally assembled (CKD) at Tan Chong’s Segambut plant.